RIYADH: Dubai’s annual inflation rate slowed again in October, reaching its lowest level in 14 months, official figures showed. According to data released by the Dubai Statistics Center, the emirate’s inflation rate reached 2.4 percent in October, driven by a deeper deflation in transport prices, which fell by 10.6 percent compared to an 8 percent decline in September. Dubai’s inflation rate has been relatively low compared to other major cities in the region, reflecting the government’s proactive measures to manage price stability and sustain economic growth. Amid global inflationary pressures, the emirate’s economy has remained resilient, benefiting from diversified sectors such as tourism, real estate, and trade. In light of global and domestic factors, the UAE Central Bank projects inflation in the country as a whole for 2024 at 2.3 percent, compared to 1.6 percent in 2023, due to a moderate increase in commodity prices, wages, and rents. The data further indicated a deflation in the tobacco price category to 3.63 percent, similar to that recorded in September. The figures also showed slower deflation in the information and communication category, which saw an annual fall of 1.92 percent, compared to a decline of 2.05 percent in September. Recreation, sport, and culture prices witnessed a year-on-year drop of 1.74 percent in October, a smaller decrease than the 2.66 percent seen in the previous month. The data also revealed that the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels sector witnessed a price increase, with a 7.16 percent surge, compared to 7.02 percent in September. The insurance and financial services sector also witnessed a rise in prices, with a 5.83 percent rise in October, compared to 5.20 percent in the previous month. Prices in education, health, and food and beverages also advanced in October. Education rose by 2.94 percent, health by 1.87 percent, and food and beverages by 1.85 percent. In comparison, September’s increases were 2.94 percent for education, 1.88 percent for health, and 1.81 percent for food and beverages. The personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services sector recorded a 1.67 percent jump in prices, while clothing and footwear was up 1.15 percent. Both of these were lower rises than in September. In 2023, Dubai announced a plan aiming to boost foreign trade and investment in the UAE’s financial hub and “double the size” of its economy by 2033.